Signals and Space | V1 | Issue 22 | 09.11.23
Trials and tribulations of Ariane 6. Placing our order for space knees, please. The FAA concludes its Starship mishap investigation. And more!
Trials and tribulations of Ariane 6. Placing our order for space knees, please. The FAA concludes its Starship mishap investigation. And more!
Trials and tribulations of Ariane 6. Placing our order for space knees, please. The FAA concludes its Starship mishap investigation. And more!
Signals and Space is your weekly intelligence briefing to ensure you know what's going up and what’s going on in space—and why it matters.
Here’s what we covered last week:
T-Minus Space Daily special edition: Producer Alice Carruth walked us through her unique career path in the space industry.
ESA Delays Ariane 6 Decisions
Energy Source for Moon Living
ISRO's Lunar Mission in Sleep Mode
Manastu Space Raises $3M for Green Propulsion
UAE Astronaut Returns from ISS
JAXA’s Funding Commitment
SpaceX Launches SDA Satellites
Firefly & L3Harris Multi-Launch Agreement
Amazon's Project Kuiper and Vodafone
Fleet Space & Thor Energy for Mineral Drilling
Unusual Launch Activity at Cape Canaveral
China's Long March 4C Mystery Payload
SpaceX Starship FAA Approval Delay
JAXA's XRISM and SLIM Missions
Voyager Space's ISS Payload Gambit
SES Space and Defense Contract
Terran Orbital's Satellite Lineup
Wyvern and Loft Orbital Partnership
Ariane 6 Test in French Guiana
Galactic Energy's Sea Launch
NASA Small Business Contracts
Redwire Biofabrication's Breakthrough: Space Knees
Who: Redwire Biofabrication, a biotech subsidiary in the space industry.
What: Successfully bioprinted the first human knee meniscus on the International Space Station (ISS).
Why: This achievement opens new avenues in the field of regenerative medicine, offering an alternative to synthetic or cadaver replacements for damaged menisci. Microgravity conditions on the ISS provide an ideal environment for such bioprinting.
U.S. Tests Minuteman 3 ICBM
Who: United States Space Force.
What: Conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Why: Regular testing ensures the reliability and readiness of the nation's strategic defense systems. The test follows a one-year gap since the last similar exercise.
New Mission Statement for U.S. Space Force
Who: United States Space Force.
What: Unveiled a new mission statement: "To secure our Nation’s interests in, from, and to space."
Why: Aims to clarify the role and objectives of the Space Force amid ongoing development and activity.
SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Solicitation
Who: Space Development Agency (SDA).
What: Issued a solicitation for prototyping the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, aiming for global tracking and missile defense.
Why: Advances the U.S. capability to monitor and defend against various missile threats, including hypersonic systems.
NOAA’s NESDIS Commercial Data Program
Who: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
What: Hosting an industry day for its National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) Commercial Data Program.
Why: To discuss data pilot projects and operational data purchases, aiming for enhancement in environmental monitoring.
Antaris Seed Funding and DoD Contract
Who: Antaris, a space software company.
What: Closed a preferred seed funding round of $3.5 million and was awarded a DoD contract.
Why: The funding and contract will likely accelerate Antaris' tech development, including its upcoming technology demonstration satellite, JANUS-2.
Workforce Changes at Blue Origin
Who: Blue Origin.
What: Layoffs within the company, particularly in human resources and talent acquisition departments.
Why: The downsizing suggests internal adjustments, possibly as the company restructures or shifts focus.
Relativity Space Expands at Stennis Space Center
Who: Relativity Space.
What: Expanded its facilities at NASA’s Stennis Space Center through a lease agreement for a vertical test stand.
Why: The expansion will support the company’s Terran R program and potentially create hundreds of new jobs.
UK Joins Horizon Europe Post-Brexit
Who: United Kingdom and the European Union.
What: UK researchers will once again have access to Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research collaboration program.
Why: This marks a thawing in relations and could provide the UK’s earth observation sector with valuable data and contract opportunities.
JAXA’s SLIM and XRISM Launch
Who: Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
What: Launched the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) and X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM).
Why: SLIM will contribute to lunar research while XRISM aims to study the material between galaxies.
India’s Solar Observatory: Aditya L1
Who: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
What: Successfully launched its first solar observation spacecraft, Aditya L1.
Why: The mission aims to provide valuable data about the Sun, contributing to the global understanding of solar phenomena.
FAA Closes SpaceX Starship Investigation
Who: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and SpaceX
What: The FAA has closed its investigation into SpaceX's Starship mishap during its first flight test this past April. SpaceX is given a list of 63 corrective actions.
Why: This closure is a step toward the resumption of Starship launches, though it doesn’t guarantee immediate resumption. Companies and investors eyeing commercial space activities should monitor these developments as they may affect the timelines for SpaceX’s ambitious goals, including Mars missions.
Biden Nominates New FAA Administrator
Who: U.S. President Biden and Mike Whitaker
What: Biden has nominated Mike Whitaker as the new FAA Administrator. Whitaker has 30 years of experience in aviation.
Why: Given the increased interaction between the FAA and private space companies like SpaceX, Whitaker’s appointment could have significant implications for the space industry, especially around regulation and safety.
GAO Report on NASA's SLS Program
Who: U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and NASA
What: A new GAO report labels NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) as "unaffordable."
Why: The criticism could spur changes in funding or even policy direction for NASA's Artemis program. Companies involved in space exploration should watch for potential shifts in strategy or partnerships.
Virgin Galactic Launches Galactic 03
Who: Virgin Galactic
What: Launched another commercial spaceflight, Galactic 03, from its New Mexico base.
Why: As commercial spaceflights become more frequent, Virgin Galactic may become a more appealing investment or partnership opportunity for businesses in or entering the space tourism market.
ULA Announces Spy Satellite Launch
Who: United Launch Alliance (ULA)
What: Planning to launch the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission, a US spy satellite, on an Atlas V rocket.
Why: The mission underscores the high stakes and government contracts available in the growing space industry, potentially attracting more private sector interest.
Rocket Lab’s Upcoming Launch
Who: Rocket Lab and Capella Space
What: Scheduled to launch a satellite for Capella Space later this month.
Why: Showcases the importance of private launch services for commercial satellite operators, emphasizing Rocket Lab’s role in this segment of the market.
China-South Africa Lunar Research Cooperation
Who: China’s National Space Administration and the South African National Space Agency
What: Signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Lunar Research Cooperation.
Why: The partnership extends China's international reach in space exploration and might lead to broader geopolitical implications involving space resources and technology sharing.
Eutelsat Joins Karista’s Spacetech Fund
Who: Karista and Eutelsat Communications
What: Eutelsat becomes a new subscriber to Karista's venture capital Spacetech fund.
Why: This partnership is an indicator of growing commercial interest in space technologies and could spur more innovation and investment in the European space sector.
SpinLaunch Partners with Sumitomo Corporation
Who: SpinLaunch and Sumitomo Corporation
What: Partnership aims to expand the global market for SpinLaunch’s mass accelerator launch services.
Why: This indicates increasing international interest in alternative, cost-effective launch methods, a potential game-changer for small satellite deployments.
Pixxel and SkyFi Partnership
Who: India’s Pixxel and US-based SkyFi
What: Partnership to integrate Pixxel’s hyperspectral data products into SkyFi's platform.
Why: The collaboration could revolutionize Earth observation capabilities, impacting various industries such as agriculture, mining, and environmental monitoring.
Ball Aerospace Satellite Testing Complete
Who: Ball Aerospace
What: Completed testing on the Weather System Follow-on – Microwave satellite.
Why: This marks progress for the U.S. Space Force's next-generation environmental satellite system, a critical tool for military and civilian weather forecasting.
Trials and tribulations of Ariane 6. Placing our order for space knees, please. The FAA concludes its Starship mishap investigation. And more!
Irregular Warfare in Space. The Astronaut wears Prada. First fine dished out for space debris management. Elon’s ambitious space plans. Stoke unveils...
This week: #Winning with NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts program. The TROPICS of New Zealand. Plus Loft and Microsoft call the Ball. And more.
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